専業主夫(せんぎょうしゅふ)

せんぎょうしゅふ
noun
full-time househusband; stay-at-home dad
familysociety
1. full-time househusband; stay-at-home dad
A man who does not work outside the home and instead takes care of household duties and childcare full-time.
彼(かれ)は専業主夫(せんぎょうしゅふ)をしている。
He is a stay-at-home dad.
妻(つま)の転勤(てんきん)をきっかけに専業主夫(せんぎょうしゅふ)になった。
I became a stay-at-home dad after my wife's job transfer.
最近(さいきん)は専業主夫(せんぎょうしゅふ)を選(えら)ぶ男性(だんせい)も増(ふ)えてきたが、まだ社会的(しゃかいてき)な理解(りかい)が十分(じゅうぶん)とは言(い)えない。
More men are choosing to be stay-at-home dads recently, but social understanding is still not enough.

Composed of 専業(せんぎょう) (full-time, exclusive occupation) + 主夫(しゅふ) (househusband). A relatively modern term that mirrors 専業主婦(せんぎょうしゅふ) (full-time housewife). The kanji 夫(ふ) (husband) distinguishes it from 婦(ふ) (wife). Both words are read せんぎょうしゅふ, so the kanji is needed to tell them apart.

Common collocations

  • 専業主夫(せんぎょうしゅふ)になる: to become a stay-at-home dad
  • 専業主夫(せんぎょうしゅふ)をしている: to be a stay-at-home dad
  • 専業主夫(せんぎょうしゅふ)の生活(せいかつ): life as a househusband

Cultural note

While still uncommon in Japan, the number of 専業主夫(せんぎょうしゅふ) has been gradually increasing. The concept has gained visibility through TV dramas and media coverage, though men in this role may still face social stigma.

Similar words

Related Words

Homophone: 専業主婦(せんぎょうしゅふ) (full-time housewife)
Compare: イクメン (active father, hands-on dad)
general
Added 2026.3.29 3:09 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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